Anyone from Columbus or Forest Lake, MN?

[kevin007]

I am new here and also just moved into the Columbus, MN area with little over 2acres. Been thinking of raising a few chickens and was wondering what the ordinance is. I could check with the city but wanted to see what you guys think or have done first.

Thanks,
Kevin.

 

[sattoritx]

There is no Columbus on the list of Cities for MN, please check here to see if you can find it or one close?
http://www.municode.com/library/ClientListing.aspx?stateID=23
Once in the proper city you can search fowl to find the chicken ordinances for you.
Sorry I couldnt be of more help.

 

[Whitewater]

Here you go:

This is the link to Columbus' city ordinances, where they talk about chickens. The first exerpt I found on p. 7, the second one on page 66. The code does define chickens as .01 of an animal unit, but I forget where I found that. Just look through the code, it'll be there.

http://www.ci.columbus.mn.us/vertic...ds/{A6A99B62-D87C-4A42-B6B2-8ADC57156E30}.PDF

"2. “Agriculture/Agricultural Use” - The use of land for farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, apiculture, floriculture, viticulture, animal and poultry husbandry that is not a Feedlot, and the necessary accessory uses for packing, treating, or storing the produce, provided however, that:
(a) The operation of any such Accessory Uses shall be secondary to that of normal agricultural activities;
(b) The above uses shall not include the feeding or sheltering of animals or poultry in penned enclosures within 100 feet of any Residential Zoning District;
(c) Agriculture does not include the operation or maintenance of an animal agriculture commercial stockyard or Feedlot. Such uses are defined and regulated as a Feedlot.
[§ 7A-201 2., amended by Ord. No. 89-1, effective July 21, 1989 and by Ord. No. 99-6, effective December 3, 1999.]"

and

"H. Animals: Customary farm animals may be housed in the RR District on lots of five (5) acres and larger, subject to Minnesota Law and the following provisions:
1. Feed lots and the raising of hogs or swine are not allowed on parcels of less than twenty (20) acres.
2. Commercial uses of animals such as the boarding of horses or dogs shall be subject to the restrictions applicable to Interim Use Permits and Residential Zone Businesses under § 7A-807.
3. Animal Density. One-half (0.5) habitable acre per Animal Unit shall be required. Land shall be considered habitable for the purposes of this Chapter 7A if it is fenced as required to restrain the animal, adequately drained so that it is not flooded, and is accessible to the animal at all times of the year other than intermittently due to severe weather. Household pets shall not be subject to this requirement.
4. The keeping of animals at greater densities or on smaller lots than allowed under this section may be allowed under an Interim Use Permit."

Hope that helps, Columbus seems to have an awful lot of laws for such a small town . . .


Whitewater (who lives in Saint Paul!)